Getting Away (closed)

[Dreamwalker85]

(Closed for Scarlettnuit)

Tattooine. Mos Eisley was in chaos. Jabba had been dead for three weeks. Another Hutt had already moved in place, but the transition wasn’t easy. Those loyal to Jabba weren’t willing to go quickly to another Hutt. Those loyal to Jabba’s credit were easy to go to another Hutt because “These things happened.” The loyal elitist were sent off to find the one that killed Jabba, his brother Odda the Hutt was angry and wanted revenge. Everyone else was locked in an underworld civil war as those loyal to Jabba and those loyal to money clashed. Family turned against family. Others were just cutthroat enough to say, “This was business.”

What this meant for the freelance department was great things. Business was booming because the crimelord’s iron grip on the market freed up, A LOT. Freelancers had luck in Mos Eisley before, but now it was without any fear of Jabba wanting a cut of the pie.

So here Sorin Reynolds was looking in the Chalmun Cantina, the infamous cantina that once held Obi Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. Sorin had light brown hair tied back into a ponytail. Wearing black boots that had buckles at the side, jungle green pants that fed into them a coat that was darker than the pants and a black shirt, he strode into the bar with eyes that ran over people. Today he was looking for a pilot. It was clear he wasn’t a moisture farmer. His eyes lacked the readiness of a bounty hunter. That meant regular, potential client or potential competition if you were a smuggler. They came in all makes,, shapes and sizes these days.

Sitting down in a somewhat private booth off to the side he looked over the patrons that were going intot he mainroom that had a bar shaped like a “U” or a “C” as part of it was pressed against the wall making it a private alcove that the bartender couldn’t have been disturbed. The mainroom had people coming and going. All around it were archways that led to booths. Some were toward the back areas of Chalmun and others ran along the sides akin to restaurants.

Sorin looked to be in his twenties, couldn’t have bene older than twenty seven. Despite having sun parched skin his face looked too young to be in his thirties. Sitting he was just waiting hoping for someone to pop out at him. He really had to get off Tattooine. No one needed to know why and he was willing to pay for the trip along with no questions.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara walked into the cantina. She was rather pleased with herself, she had made one of the biggest drops of her career so far and she had made quite a bit of money. She remained stoic. At 5’9” she was taller than some women, but her fiery red hair was always noticed by all, especially given the contrast of her green eyes and creamy skin.

She had a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. She was supposed to meet with a new client. She was told the job was a bit unusual, but unusual was what she specialized in. She was a charmer and a smooth talker, there wasn’t much she couldn’t get out of with wit or speed. She sipped her drink and looked around the cantina, looking for her knew mark…err…client.

 

[Dreamwalker85]

A wave went to the redhead. The way she sauntered in like she owned the place screamed smuggler or bounty hunter. Everything about that overconfidence tipped her hand. "She'll do," he thought to himself.

Sitting down Sorin waited to see if she was going to take the bait. Eventually an R2 Unit came up to the table. It had been converted into a drinking droid, "Corelian Whiskey. If I'm joined by company whatever she wants." Keeping his eyes focused on the booth he looked between her and the empty booth seat across from him.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara sauntered over in her dark blue pants that were tucked into her tall black boots. She wore a white tunic that reached her knees that was cinched at her waist with a black belt, her blaster attached to her thigh.

She sat down across from Sorin, downing her drink and putting it back on the R2 unit before it moved away.

“What can I do you for?” she asked as she scanned the room for potential danger. She then looked to Sorin and gave him a soul searching look. She was good at reading people and she did her best to read him, but it was more difficult, which only meant one thing. She would let him pass if he wanted, it made no difference to her, so long as she got paid.

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"I'm looking for someone that's good at transport. Are you that person?" Sorin asked. The question came out with too much curiosity. His eyes and face read simple. Guy could have been a junker or a farmer. Maybe not a junker some had things to hide. This guy looked just like he could have given you the shirt off his back if you gave a good story to him about how you lost yours.

"Requires going into dicey skies, but it'll be better in this place in six months if the Rebel and Imperial war doesn't end. Empire will come in to stop the Hutt Civil War here. Then it'll become a threeway dance with only losers regardless of who wins. I want out before that happens. Transport to Nar Shadaa, two cargo containers that are clean, that's it. Just dicey skies and no questions besides causal stuff," thinking on it.

"Can you do it and your asking price?" Nar Shadaa was a hutt controlled planet that was like Coruscant, smaller, and it was known to be a gambling planet along with the kind of place that could get you anything you wanted turning down one corner, then dead if you went down the next. Some people probably considered it worse than Tattooine even with the power struggle.

 

[scarlettnuit]

“I’m the best you’ll find in these parts.” She replied confidently. “And the best pilot too. My price is 15 thousand galactic credits.” She told him as she waved down another drink that was quickly brought to her.

“Now, the real question is, can you afford me?” she said as she sipped her drink. “I leave in the morning. You can either be on the ship or not. I would suggest you get a body guard if you’re going into that kind of territory…” she said looking him up and down, playing along with his game.

“That will cost you another 10 thousand credits.”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"Bodyguard while we're in space or once we touch down. Clarifying for the services you're offering," Sorin made sure. Pausing for a long while he said, "Half." After the various responses came from the pilot, "Half up front. Half upon completion for the flight. I'm thinking about the bodyguard services and you never pay upfront on these things. You could be full of bantha fudu when it comes to how good you are," Sorin explained. Apparently the man knew how to negotiate a little or at least how to pay a freelancer properly. Most clients did a split.

 

[scarlettnuit]

“Fair enough.” She said to the payment arrangements. However, as he continued she raised an eyebrow.

“You know, I’ve killed men for less.” She responded to his insinuation. “If you have the cash, meet me at hanger 8, we take off at first light.” She told him and then got up and left.

The next morning she was up before dawn, getting the Vortex ready for her journey. She wasn’t particularly fond of the planet they were going to, but the money could help make some upgrades and repairs that the Vortex had been needing for some time. Now the only mystery was, would he have the money and would he show?

 

[Dreamwalker85]

Before he left a credit stick was left for Jara. When she grabbed it and added it to her collection it was for fifteen thousand. "Another five to make sure your questions don't dig too much," Sarin said softly. "Name's Sarin. Nice to meet you..." he let his voice trail watching the woman before they parted ways.

Waiting in hangar eight in the morning was Sorin. He was dressed in the same dark green jacket and black boots, a different black shirt, and a pair of dark blue pants. His eyes were waiting to see that shock of red hair.

When it appeared she would have seen him with two medium size crates that went up to his chest on his 6'2" frame. They were about three feet wide. Safe to presume everything he had were in the containers. "You can search them for spice. They'll be clean. Everything's legal," he gave the pilot a nod in greeting.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara stepped off of her ship to see Sarin there. She walked towards him and extended her hand.

“Jara by the way, I don’t think I introduced myself last night.” She told him and then called two droids to load his cargo. “Put it in D storage.” She told them. Given that she didn’t know the contents of the crates, she figured putting them into a hidden compartment was best.

“Are you ready to go?” she asked and then motioned for him to board the ship. “I have a galley that’s stocked if you’re hungry. Feel free to roam the ship as you please after we hit light speed.”

Jara began her take off procedure and advised Sarin to strap in. Before long the crates were packed and they took off from Tatooine.

Now surrounded by an endless blanket of stars, Jara called back to Sarin.

“You can unbuckle now…” she began. “Why do you want to go to this planet anyway?” she asked. He would either tell her or he wouldn’t, either way was fine with her.

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"Sarin. Well met Jara," he smiled and offered a hand. Taken or not it didn't stop him from putting the cargo in the hidden comepartment. From there he went into the cockpit. Sitting in the chair he was told to go he nodded.

Sarin did everything he was instructed. The way he buckled in and out of the chair showed there was some experience in a vehicle. When they were out in space he unbuckled and stared out in the blackness of space.

"I didn't expect it to be so cold and quiet," he commented. People that said things like that told the story that they had never been off world before. Any spacer knew how cold, empty and vast space was.

Looking back at the pilot he said softly, "It's safer than Tatooine." As they were floating out in space after breaking the atmosphere of the desert plan a good twenty to fifty clicks out they were hailed by a squad of five tie fighters.

"Registration code," one hailed.

All ships by the Empire required ships to have registration codes. It was to determine that the ship was on the up and up, like vehicle registration. They used this tactic to weed out Rebel supporters and freelancers with notions against the Empire. Usually those that didn't get the codes they were against the empire.

"What are you doing leaving Tatooine?" the same pilot asked waiting for a response. "What's on your ship?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

“Registration code 66543. I have a passenger on board on his way to Coruscant. Licking his wounds from the pod races.” She responded.

She then turned to look at Sarin making sure that he was strapped in, should they run into trouble.

“That code is expired. Please relay correct registration code.” At this Jara flipped a few more switches and then responded.

“The correct code is 6634 eat my poodoo.” She responded. A the tie fighters started to fire at her she moved the ship expertly through their shots as her light speed warmed up. She rolled a few times and managed to get behind them and jump into light speed.

All of this was nothing new for Jara. She had to deal with the ridiculous Empire all the damned time,s o much that she felt like they were a set of fleas on an open wound.

Once they were stabilized and the autopilot was on, she unbuckled herself and went into the back to get something to drink.

“Would you like anything Jedi?” she asked, finally calling him out on it.

 

[Dreamwalker85]

Sarin freaked out a little when the code wasn't accepted. Strapping back in he waited to see what happened as the ship shook a little. The sound of laser fire rattled the ship. Then the ship shook in a new way and they hit lightspeed. Flying back into his seat he watched the colors wash over their vision. It was honestly so very beautiful.

Staring at the woman he looked at Jara with a face that looked confusion. He had been taught how to hold a mean poker and deceptive face. "Sorry to disappoint." Getting up from his chair after undoing it he looked at her then started to walk away. A sigh escaped his lips as he was a little ways away. Two fingers rubbed at the bridge of Sarin's nose, "I hate Imps because they planted my father as a weapon smuggler to the rebellion. They said he had a partner but didn't put it together that it was me. Last thing I want to stay is in an imp cell."

Leaning against a hallway wall he looked at Jara, "Smuggler's Moon will be so Hutt controlled the Empire will want to stay friends with the group. So, they will be more likely to leave a plan with an established hierarchy than one they can maybe exploit the power vacuum."

 

[scarlettnuit]

If he didn’t want to admit what he was, it made no difference to her. She had always been good at reading people and he was no exception.

She simply listened as he told his story, and again, she didn’t care much. “As long as you still owe me the other half of my money, I’ll keep you out of their reach. After that you’re on your own.” She said and then moved to sit down at the table. It would be a few hours before they reached the moon.

“So what, you plan to avenge your father or something?”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"You'll get paid. I'm a man of my word and you could probably shoot me if I try to skip out, " Sarin said softly. He looked around the ship hallway. "So what's your story? Ace pilots don't exactly fall out of the sky. Imperial Academy? Rebellion School, if they have one?" he asked curious about Jara's story. "You know I'm the son of a junk that's not going to avenge his father's death because I can't maul through that many Storm Troopers," he nodded. "I wasn't sure which squad kill him," the words in his voice were sad.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara wasn’t usually one to talk about herself, she rather preferred people knowing very little about her. If they didn’t know anything about you, it was very difficult for them to find a way to hurt you. However, she supposed she should be polite and answer the man, even if he was lying to her face.

“My father was an imperial pilot. He taught me all I know and then some.” She paused. Her father had been viciously killed by the Emperor for not being able to track down a ship he had send him after. She decided not to elaborate on him.

“I saved up, bought this hunk of junk and modified it to my needs. Because of that I’m the only one who can fly her, and I plan to keep it that. What do you plan to do once we land?”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

A hand went to Jara's shoulder, "I'm sorry about your father. He sounded like a good man," Sarin spoke quietly to Jara. Thankful that the ship distracted her, "So does it show up in ship logs as a modified craft or just the name with an unknown classification?" The question was genuine. He wanted to know how a custom ship like this showed up on Rebel and Imperial radars.

Thinking on it Sarin put a hand to his chin. Thinking on that question he had a plan, but it was more like a crudely constructed outline. "Eat a big steak. Not sure the animal, but a steak. Have a good drink. Celebrate being out of that situation, invite you for a similar meal as I hope you bodyguard me for a bit. Then probably go to some place I can hold up then figure out my move on Nar Shadaa."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara stiffened as he touched her shoulder, not from discomfort, but the fact that she didn’t like to speak about herself. She had loved her father, he didn’t particularly like the Empire but he had to put food on the table for his family. Many people didn’t think about this when they saw an imperial guard. While most of them could be complete jerks, there were some that were simply forced into a bad situation.

“I’ll take you up on that steak.” She told him, wanting to change the subject. “I know of a fairly decent inn there where you would be…well as safe as you could be there I suppose. Though, I have no idea why you would want to make a permanent move to Nar Shadaa of all places.”

She got up and strode towards the cockpit. “I’m going to keep an eye out for imperial fighters. Feel free to make yourself comfortable.” She called back.

After a few hours, they were finally touching down onto Nar Shadaa. She landed and docked the Vortex without much trouble. She was know there as a skilled pilot and one could get damned near anything to damned near anywhere. She unstrapped herself and stood up and stretched.

“Where do you want the cargo delivered?”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"I'd like the company with the steak," Sarin smiled. When she gave him the goahead to get comfortable he sat at a table. Playing a few hands of solitary sabac he just enjoyed the quiet. Occasionaly he asked questions that echoed down to the cockpit like, "What would it take for you to retire and where would you go? What would be a dream job for you? Tell me five random things about yourself?"

Of course questions asked back to him would have met varying answers as it depended on the question. When the ship came to a stop he asked, "Can you make sure that inn has a room opening and then send my cargo to the establishment. Please?"

Really Sarin's plan only went so far. They were skirting near the parts that were incomplete. He knew something would have panned out, but all of the specifics were unknown to him.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or himself. Either way, she didn’t like to divulge information and didn’t answer him.

She nodded when he asked for the cargo to be delivered to the inn and then instructed two droids to carry out the work. She did a systems check to make sure that nothing was damaged too badly or needed to be repaired on the Vortex and then closed her down and locked her up.

“So, I believe steak was on the menu?” she asked with a slight smile. She wasn’t often used to being friendly with people. When she did they tried to use it against her and she ended up having to injure them or worse.

“There’s a good place not far from here called Hrathos if you’d like to go there. Do you have a preference?” she asked, not sure if he had even been on this planet before.

 

[Dreamwalker85]

Nar Shadaa was not what Sarin expected. The planet nicknamed "Smugger's Moon" reminded him of Coruscant's brighter, lewder, dirtier cousin. Bright lights were everywhere for Cantinas like the Slippery Slopes, Casinos and various other businesses.

At night the sky looked like a purplish-red between all the light pollution, planet atmosphere and three other factors. Everything had taken Sarin back a little. He had down his homework on the planet. Several e-publishings, and other material were read on his datapad. He saw holostills too. Seeing everything in motion made the planet into a different animal.

"Yeahh...Hrathos, sounds good," Saris reached down deep and pulled up his courage. "Send the cargo to the room. We'll eat steaks. If we stay out late I'll pay for a separate room for you," walking off the ship he looked to Jara. "Lead the way," his eyes watched everything as they left the hangar.

Giant grey tiles sprawled the floor. Unfortunately the various lighting made them look like a tacky purple color. Walls and archways would have been various shades of brown, but the lights washed over various places given them yellow and the glow of other colors.

As they walked someone was talking, "Just one chip. Just one chip and I can win everything back," he was talking to a few members of security.

Nar Shadaa was a planet that made and broke many men and women on a daily basis. Guys like the one that was talking to members of security was nothing new. He was just another middle age human that had some bad luck and decided Nar Shadaa was where things would go better for him. In reality they only went worse for him by coming to the planet.

Sarin just kept his eyes forward as he walked with Jara.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara escorted him to the restaurant and they were soon seated in the back corner of the room. Jara liked to have a good view of who was coming and going and to be in a position where no one could sneak up behind her.

It was an upscale restaurant for this part of town and a menu was soon brought to them. Jara ordered a large bloody Gizka steak and a double corellian whisky. She then turned her attention back to the man that no sat across from her.

“How long will you be here? Do you actually have anything resembling a plan?”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

Sarin was just lost in the menu and the place. He really didn't think the place was so bad. Rumors came to Sarin's ears that even the upscale restaurants on Nar Shadaa were kind of dirty. In his mind he figured a place that made that much money on gambling probably had a lot of nice things that those with great paydays were able to afford, and only them. He was just enamored with everything. Then the questions came out, "I really don't have a plan. I would find work where I could, figure out if it was a good fit and go from there," he shrugged.

Sarin really was just going to go toward what sounded good without being too picky. That was the plan. "What about you? What will you do after this job?" the quesiton hung in the air as he waited to see what was up.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Jara looked across the table at Sarin giving away no emotion. She if were indeed, not, the jedi that she thought he was, then he was a fool, pure and simple. She sipped her drink and let a steady eye roam the room, sizing up it’s patrons. No one looked like they were in the mood for trouble tonight, at least, not yet.

She looked back to Sarin. “You come to a dangerous planet with no plan and hope to live. I wish you luck on that journey. I will simply pick up another cargo to go to the next planet, unless of course, you wish me to remain your body guard.”

 

[Dreamwalker85]

"I was planning on keeping you as my bodyguard. Besides it would be good company," Sarin grinned. He was finishing his steak. Looking back at the the pilot he asked, ""How is your steak?"

When the steak was done he looked at her, "If I wasn't paying for your services I would even call this a date." He smirked to his company, "Care for a stroll after this? We can stretch our legs after all that flying?"